Monitoring Sangamon River freshwater mussels through community science"

A volunteer-led freshwater mussel monitoring program in the upper Sangamon River brings together community scientists, researchers, and conservation organizations to conduct a 10-year mark-recapture study across eight sites. Since 2021, participants have documented about 20 mussel species, marked hundreds of individuals, and rediscovered the state-endangered Spike (Eurynia dilatata). The study has also captured the effects of extreme hydrologic events, including severe drought and subsequent flooding, providing rare insights into mussel survival and recovery in a changing climate. This presentation highlights how long-term community science generates meaningful ecological data while building lasting partnerships for conservation and stewardship.

 

Presenter Sarah Douglass is a malacologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, where she works to conserve freshwater mussels and assess rare species through field surveys and environmental DNA techniques. Her research focuses on river ecosystems, species distributions, long-term population dynamics, and engaging with community science to better understand and sustain mussel populations across the state.